ESNA spoke with ReSolve, part of Arrow's newly launched reverse logistics group, which also includes Intechra, an IT asset disposition services company and Converge, an independent distributor, to discuss the importance of a reverse supply chain logistics program. 
The aftermath of Japan's earthquake last month has left the electronics supply chain struggling with production stoppages and shipment delays of electronic components and raw materials supply.
Because the DRAM market is highly volatile the current buyer's market could quickly swing into a seller's market during the second half of 2011. Buyers will need to keep an eye on several key issues.
EU drops RoHS proposal to ban all BFRs
Bannockburn, Ill. — Due to efforts by IPC — Association Connecting Electronics Industries to bring scientific analysis to the RoHS Directive, the European Union announced plans to drop amendments calling for a ban of all brominated flame retardants (BFRs), including tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA), that have been found safe under European Union risk assessment.
The announcement was made by RoHS Rapporteur and Green Party member Jill Evans.
IPC has lobbied the European Union over the past year to amend the RoHS Directive to introduce rigorous scientific methodology to evaluate additional restricted substances and their alternatives.
IPC wrote to key European Parliament Environmental Committee leaders to support the adoption of RoHS Directive proposed amendments 197 through 203, which would promote the introduction of scientific methodology in alignment with the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation.
However, IPC remains concerned about Amendment 3a in the Final packages of the compromise/consolidated amendments on RoHS. Under the section, “Consolidated package III on methodology for future restrictions,” Amendment 3a proposes a process that “lacks a rigorous scientific methodology and could therefore lead to additional substance restrictions that provide neither environmental nor human health benefits,” said Fern Abrams, IPC director of environmental policy and government relations, in a statement.
IPC also opposes “Consolidated package IV on Annex III,” which calls for a priority assessment of the flame retardant TBBPA. While some BFRs, such as polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), have been identified as toxic, restricted under the RoHS Directive and voluntarily withdrawn from the market, other BFRs such as TBBPA have been found to be safe for human health and the environment by both the World Health Organization and the European Commission Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER).
Members of the European Parliament Environmental Committee are scheduled to vote on Final packages of compromise/consolidated amendments on RoHS, on Wednesday, June 2.
See related articles:
IPC calls for revised RoHS Directive based on science, aligned with REACH
Delphi Automotive intros an aluminum cable as an alternative to more expensive copper cabling in automotive applications.